Liquid treatment of cinematographic films



TROLANILJ. A. BALL, AND J. M. ANDREWS.

r LIQUiD TREATMENT OF CINEMATOGRAPHIC FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1. 1921.

Patented M, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

71v677f0r eom d L. T. TROLAND, J. A. BALL, AND J. M. ANDREWS.--

LIQUID TREATMENT OF CINEMATOGRAPHIC FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. l. 1921.

1,435,764. atented NOV. 14, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

b0na7t57T 103827; 7 5.325.

S1 ltd, 1922.

. A is:

2?. 'IROLAND, OF MALDEN, AND JOSEPH A. BALL AND JARVIS M. ANDREWS, QLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO KALMUS, COM STOCK & WESCOTT, J., OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

LI QUID TREATMENT OF CINEMATOGRAPHIC FILMS.

Application filed September 1, 1921.

iii met may concern:

. own that we, LEONARD T. Tno- .i. BALL, and JARvrs M. AN-

of the United States of .esidents of Maiden, Wollaszston, Massachusetts, respeccounties of Middlesex, Nor-' elk, respectively, and State of have invented new and useoveiients in Liquid Treatment of aphic Films, of which the folecification.

oion relates to the liquid treat- LLA in photographic films, particularly ic films, and specifically to one In or pictures representing one e carried on one side of the iemental series representing aspect is carried on the other L, it is frequently desirable to 'iosite sides of the film sepaiiierently as, for example, by de a reddish color and the of the invention is to provide no. apparatus for treating one n independently of the other side Cli'Z-y and uniformity, without ine film, and without affecting the at oi" the film. Another object is to a, method and means for automatiing a film to normal position in at the film tends to submerge on e result of a wavy edge such as have. vo the present invention the sad along the surface of a body of such manner that it is supported Y the iiquid without the aid or" any 7 supports, thereby avoiding the maintaining the liquid at a definits predetermined level relatively to the supports and also avoiding friction and of the film by the supports. has heretofore been considered in the case of the thin and tenusuch as are used in treating cinec and other photographic films, the liquid has a relatively low Serial No. 497,590.

surface tension, we have discovered that it is not only possible but highly practicable.

In one aspect the invention involves maintaining the film substantially flat and thererestraining it from contacting with the liquid on its upper side and, where the film is supported by floating, preventing it from sinking, by making the film multi-ply. For example, if two films are properly secured together back-to-back with the coatings on the outer sides, the resulting double film will have less tendency to curl and buckle, even when only one side is wet, presumably for the same reason that a multi-ply board or cardboard has less tendency to Warp and curl than a single ply 'piece.

In another aspect the invention consists in making the film water-repellent at the sides, preferably from the extreme edges inwardly to lines extending longitudinally of'the film slightly inside the sprocket holes. One way of rendering the marginal portions of the film water-repellent is to make the celluloid support bare and clean throughout such portions. This is preferably accomplished by dissolving off the unexposed gelatine emulsion and thoroughly washing the film, thus leaving the celluloid perfectly bare and clean outside the lateral edges of the images which are slightly inside the rows-of sprocket holes. The unexposed portions may be dissolved off without affecting the images between the rows of sprocket holes by first hardening the gelatine throughout the exposed image spaces in known manner. The marginal portions of the film may be rendered even more liquidrepellent by a coating which is not readily wet by aqueous solutions, such as stearic acid wax.

In order to illustrate the invention, one concrete embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a complete.

F ig.4 is an enlarged sectional view ofthe liquid trough, showing a film floating upon the surface of the liquid within the trough;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the action of the film and the liquid when the former becomes displaced;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid trough and general assembly of the lower portion of the apparatus, the central portion of the trough being cut away;

Fig. 7 is a detail section of line 7-7 of Fig. 6, showing surface liquid removing means;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1, showing in elevation the means 'for drawing the film through the machine;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6, showing. in elevation the devices for applying the liquid repelling substance to the edges of the film;

Fig. 10 is a detail vertical sectionalyiew through one ofthe devices shown in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross section of a film such as above described (in which S and S are the two celluloid strips cemented together and R and R are the images carried by the respective strips).

The specific embodiment ofthe invention chosen for purpose of illustration comprises a-base 11 to which are fastened U-shaped supporting uprights 12 connected by ero members 13. These upright and cross bers are preferably made in one 1319i Upon the cross members 13 is supported an elongated drying chamber 14 enclosed on the top, bottom and sides and open at the ends. Within the drying chamber and mounted in U-shaped supports 15 are rollers 16 consisting of a central drum 17 shoulders 18 of greater diameter .ian the drum and beyond these guide fla ges 19 of still greater diameter. When the rim is fed through the drying chamber after the liquid treatment the edges of the film rest upon the shoulders 18 so that the moist face of the film cannot contact with the drum 17. At one end of the drying chamber is pipe 20 through which warm air is forced into the drying chamber through the side opening .1.

Supported upon the base 11 by biocirs is a broad U-shaped trough 23 shown in cross-section in Fig.2. Within the trough 23 is mounted the elongate shallow trough 24 for the liquid treatment of the film (Fig. 4). The trough 23 serves as a means for taking care of accidental overflow from trough 24, pipe 23 (Fig. 6) being arranged to carry away this overflow. The trough 24 has upwardly flaring or diverging sides 25 which extend above the level at which the liquid is constantly maintained. The distance between the sides 25 at the level of the liquid is slightly greater than the width of the film A to be treated. The trough24 wear/ea as shown in Fig. 4 it may be stamped from a single sheet of metal. At one end of the troughs 23 and 24 are the triangular supports 26, one being located upon each side of the troughs as shown in enlarged scale in Fig. 6. Thesetriangular supports are connected together by a rod 27 upon which is mounted guide roller 28 similar in construction'to guide rollers 16. At the apex of the triangular support are registering holes 29 serving as bearings for a shaft 30 forming a portion of the carriage 31 which comprises side arms 32 connected by rods 33 upon which are rollers 34 and 35. In'order to hold the carriage 31 in adjusted position the triangular supports are provided with binding screws acting upon the shaft 30.

At the opposite end of the treatment tank are brackets 36 extending upwardly from the base 11. These brackets are connected by rods 37 and 38 upon which are mounted respectively plain roller 39 and guide roller 40. Supported between rods 37 and 38 by means of attachment members 41 is a block 42 shown in detail in Figs. 6 and'7. This bloci: acts as a means for removing the rem the treatment trough. The means removing the excess liquid comprises -"isve1se nozzle 43 fast at the lower portion. the block and allowing space through in the block for the passage of the ted film above the nozzle. The nozzle s elongated slot 44 directed at an angle of approximately 45 toward the film as issues from the treatment trough. A pipe connects the nozzle with any suitable source of compressed air. The portion of the block 42 directly above the film has a hollow chamber 46 shown in Fig. 7 with openings into the recess in which the film travels directly above the sprocket holes in the film. Threaded into the chamber 46 is a pipe 47 to which there is a connection from a suction pump. The blast of air from the slot in the nozzle below the block cooperates with the suction means above the film to completely remove all liquid from the sprocket holes of the film, and also sweep the lower portion of the film which has been treated clear of surfaceliquid.

Mechanism of the general character above described for removing surface liquid from a film is claimed in the application of Daniel F- Comstock, Serial No. 497,703 filed on even acid wax, although other substances. e. g.

parafifin. may be used. Removably clamped. to the side arms 32 of the carriage 31 by of set screws 48 are bracket arms 49 g inwardly and over the edges of in proximity to roll 34. The outer bracket arms 49 support tubes 50 ng pistons 51 urged downwardly by sp 'ngs' :2, the tension of the latter being it by hand screws 53. A stick of wax olaccd in the lower end of the tube 50 and d in frictional contact with the edges of the film by the spring-pressed piston 51. ,ilication of Wax' or the like is pardesirable prior to treating the second'side of a film as the tendency for the PM idto flow over the top is sometimes 16 I if the upper surface has already ted.

right-hand end of the device as. in Fig. 1, and supported above the l hymeinbcrs similar to supports 12,

his 56 iipon which is mounted the drawing the film through the machi- This means is shown in detail in F 6 and comprises a main shaft 57 supin bearings 59 and provided with t wheels 58 which cooperate with the t holes on thesides of the film. 57 has keyed upon its central porworm gear 60 meshing with a worm upon a shaft '62 mounted transversely 57' and below the same. Shaft 62 n through pulley wheel 63 from any e source of power. Upon the end of T opposite to the .end of the sprocket wheels, is the driving member 64 comprising a pulley wheel 65 and a smaller pulley wheel 66 Suspended below table 56 is a bracket support 67 having an elongated bearing68 for a shaft 69 arranged in parallei relation to shaft 57. Shaft 69 has a projecting end directly below sprocket 57 over which a film reel is adapted to be placed, upon which the film, after being treated and dried, is adapted to be wound. In order to turn the drum at a. proper speed to take up the film, the opposits end of shaft 69 is provided with driven member 70 comprising smaller pulley wheel 71 directly below pulley wheel 65 and pulley 2 directly below pulley 66. Driven member 70 is loose upon shaft 69 but is held hy springs 74 in frictional contact with dish '73 keyed to shaft 69. The tension of '74 is regulated by collar 75 l l in position on shaft 69 by so operation of the device is of film is placed upon the bracket t 77 which is suspended from the base film in this reelis threaded upthrough an opening in the base 11 guide roller 27, then upwardly over under the wax ends 54, over roller en downward the length of the t trough 24, the film resting upon ice of the liquid and being supported The film is drawn along the surface.

of the liquid,threaded upwardly under roller 39 through the recess in the surface liquid removing block 42 under guide roller 40, up through a slot in the drying chamber 14 over the guide rollers 16, throughout the length of the drying chamber over the sprocket wheels 57, the sprocket teeth being registered in the sprocket holes of the fihn, and down around an empty film reel upon the extremity of shaft 69, the takeup reel being driven by a belt (not shown) over pulleys 71 or 66-72. Since it is impossible to arrange for the slight variation in proportion between the speeds of shafts 57 and 69 in reeling up the film, a provision is made for slip between the driven member and shaft 69, comprising'arrangin the driven member 70 loosely upon sha t 69- but in spring-pressed frictional engagement with the collar 73.

A cardinal feature of the invention consists in the upwardly flaring sides of the liquid trough and the slight clearance between the edges of the film and the sides of the trough when the film is floating normally. If the liquid creeps over the edge of the film, as a result of curling or buckling, thereby submerging one side of the film, the submerged edge engages the inclined side and by virtue of the inclination the other side is caused to ride up the opposite inclined side, the film assuming aposition such as shown in Fig. 5. Owing to the surface tension acting on the tipped-up side the film is either restored to normal position or restrained from being submerged except inthe immediate region of the curl or buckle.

In forming the relief images the marginal portions of the gelatine or other colloid material are completely removed in the hot-water etching bath, the marginal portions being unexposed. Thus the gelatine or other colloid material in which the images are formed terminate short of the marginal edges of the film and indeed is confined to the space between the series of marginal registering openings (Figs. 3 and 4). This is' important in coloring the relief images inasmuch as pigment solution can be applied to one side with little or no tendency to creep around the edges of the film to the opposite side by virtue of bare celluloid margins.

e claim:

1. The method of treating a roll ofphoto graphic film which comprises moving the film over a body of liquid in surface contact therewith and supporting the film through out the major part of that portion contact- P1 ing with the liquid solely by the liquid. 7

2. The method of treating a roll of photov graphic film comprising extending a long section of the film along the surface'of a liquid so that the film is supported solely by the liquid which wets the lower surface of the film only.

The method of treating a roll of photographic film comprising extending a long section of the film along the surface of a liquid so that the film is supported solely by the liquid which wets the lower surface of the film only and continuously drawing the film forwardly along the surface of the all Kill

lili

liquid while the film continues to be supported by the liquid.

4c. The method of treating films, comprising applying a liquid repellent substance to the edges of the film and then floating the film upon a liquid. i

5. The method of treating films comprisingapplying a liquid repellent substance to the edges of the film, floating the film upon a liquid, and moving the film forward while so supported by the liquid.

6. The method of treating films comprising applying a liquid repellent substance to the edges 01 the film, floating the film upon a liquid, moving the film. forward while so supported, removing surface liquid from the film, and then drying the film.

7. The method oftreating the lower su rface of photographic film with a liquld in such nanner as to prevent access of the liquid to the other side which comprises applying to theedges of the film a substance which will prevent the liquid from wetting the film and then passing the film along the surface of the liquid.

8. The method of treating the lower surface of a photographic film with a liquid in such manner as to prevent access of the liquid to the other side which comprises applying to the edges of the film a substance which will prevent the liquid from wetting the film and then passing the film along the surface of the liquid, the film being supported solely by the liquid.

9. The method of preparing an elongate strip of photographic film which comprises joining a plurality of films together to form a multi-ply film, and then passing the film lengthwise over and in contact with-the surface of a body of liquid, whereby the film is 'maintained relatively fiat and is restrained from contacting; with the liquid on its up per side by virtue of its multi-ply character.

10. The method of preparing an elongate strip of photographic film which comprises joining two coated films baclr-to-back to form a symmetrically double film and floating the film lengthwise over and in contact with the surface of a body of liquid, whereby the film is maintained relatively fiat and is thereby restrained From contacting with the liquid on its upper side by virtue of its symmetrically double character.

ll. The step in the method (it treating mated photographic films which comprises floating the same upon a thin fluid medium capable of changing the color of the coating upon the film.

12. The step in the method of treating photographic films which comprises floating the same upon a thin and tenuous film-staining fiuid.

13. In apparatus for treating photographic films, a long narrow trough having diverging sides and adapted to contain liquid, guiding means for the film at each end of the trough whereby a section of the film may rest within the trough and be supported by the liquid, means for removing the excess liquid from the film as the latter issues from the trough comprising fiuid pres sure and fiuid suction means, a drying chamber above said trough and means for continuously conducting the film along the trough, past the surface liquid removing means and through the drying chamber.

14:. n apparatus for treating phot0- graphic films, a long narrow trough having diverging sides and adapted to contain liquid, guiding means for the film at each end of: the trough whereby a section of the film may rest within the trough and be supported by the liquid. means for applying a water repelling substance to both edges of the film betoreit enters the trough, and means for progressively conducting the film under the applying means and along the trough.

15. In apparatus for treating photographic films, a long narrow trough having diverging sides and adapted to contain liquid, guiding means for the film at each end the trough whereby a section of the film may rest within the trough and be supported by the liquid, means for applying a water repelling substance to both edges of the film before it enters the trough, a drying chamber above said trough and means for continuously conducting the film under the applying means along the trough and through v the drying chamber.

16. In apparatus for treating photographic films, a long narrow trough having diverging sides and adapted to contain liq.- uid, guiding means for the film at each end of the trough whereby a section of the film may rest within the trough and be supported by the liquid, means for applying a water repelling substance to both edges of the film before it enters the trough.

17. In apparatus for treating photographic films, a liquid trough having upwardly diverging sides, the distance between. said sides at the liquid level being slightly greater than the Width of the film to be treated, and means for moving the film lon gitudinally of the trough.

18. In apparatus for treating photographic films, a liquid trough having diverging sides, the distance between said sides at the level of the liquid being slightly greater than the width of the film, and means for passing the film along the surface of the liquid in the trough so that the film is normally supported solely by the liquid.

19. In apparatus for treating rolls of photographic films, a trough adapted to contain liquid, film guiding means arranged to guide the film to and from the surface of the liquid, and means for applying a liquid repelling substance to the edges of the film before it contacts with the liquid, thereby to insure its floating.

20. The method of treating films which comprises rendering the marginal portions of the film water-repellent and then floating the film upon a liquid.

21. The method of treating photographic film having a coating of gelatine or the like on at least one side, such coating terminating short of the marginal ed es of the film which comprises wetting t e other side 0 the film.

22. The method of treating photographic film having a coating of gelatine or the like on at least one side which comprises removing the coating from the marginal portions of the film and then wetting the other side of the film.

23. The method of treating an elongate strip of photographic film having a row of images supported on a water-repellent support which comprises moving the film lengthwise over and in contact with the surface of a body of liquid with the marginal portions of the film bared.

24. The method of treating an elongate strip of photographic film having a coating of gelatine or the like on at least one side thereof, said coating terminating short of the marginal edges of the film, which comprises passing the film over a body of liquid with the other side in contact with the liquid.

25. The method of treating an elongate strip of photographic film having a coating of gelatine or the like on at least one side thereof which comprises removing the coating from the marginal portions of the film and then passing the film over a body of liquid with the other side in contact with the liquid.

Signed by us at Boston, Massachusetts, this th day of August, 1921.

LEONARD T. TROLAND. JOSEPH A. BALL. JARVIS M. ANDREWS. 

